John W. Saunders

John W. Saunders

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006
Awarded Practice Areas
Labour and Employment Law
Awarded Practice Areas
Labour and Employment Law
Works at
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

46 Best Lawyers awards

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP logo

Biography

John Saunders is a senior labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. He has over three decades of experience advising employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues. John’s practice includes collective agreement negotiations, rights and interest arbitrations, human rights applications and wrongful dismissal litigation.

John has particular expertise in municipal law with regard to fire and paramedic issues. He provides ongoing negotiation advice to fire and paramedic departments on staffing, deployment, benefit issues, accommodation, mandatory retirement, presumptive disability legislation, negotiations and interest arbitrations. He has represented numerous municipalities and corporations in coroners’ inquests and judicial inquiries into fatalities.

In addition, John works with employers in the healthcare, manufacturing, waste disposal, forestry, nuclear, property assessment and call centre sectors.

John is the past chairman of the Board of Elders of his local church. He is an avid downhill skier and enjoys fixing things at his cottage.

Works at
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

46 Best Lawyers awards

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP logo

Locations

Education

  • Queen’s University, LL.B.
  • University of Toronto, B.Sc. (Hons.)

Bar Admissions

  • Ontario, 1988

Affiliations

  • Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers - Member
  • Canadian Bar Association - Member
  • Ontario Bar Association - Member (Labour & Employment Law and Municipal Law)

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2026 for work in:
  • Labour and Employment Law
Awards:
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory

    Employment Law (Consistently Recommended); Labour Relations (Repeatedly Recommended)

  • Who's Who Legal – Global Leader
    Labour & Employment (Recommended)

  • Who’s Who Legal – National Leader, Canada
    Labour, Employment & Benefits

  • Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs

    President’s Award (2014)

Additional Information

  • Areas of Concentration

Employment Law

Human Rights

Labour Relations

Litigation

Occupational Health

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